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House funds economic gardening and community revitalization projects
DENVER, CO– The House today passed two bills to fund grant programs that invest in community revitalization and small business success. These bills are a part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus, a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. The bill passed by a vote of
“Building Colorado Back stronger means using the economic downturn caused by COVID 19 as an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen our local economies,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, sponsor of SB21-252. “The grant program funded by this bill will help communities turn run-down buildings on main street into standout local treasures, creating jobs and boosting economies along the way.”
“The Community Revitalization Grant Program is designed to help Colorado’s small towns return their once lustrous main streets to their former glory,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB21-252. “These revitalization projects will not only stimulate economies, create jobs and promote tourism, they’ll also bring back the sheen and pride to many of Colorado’s small towns.”
SB21-252 would create the Community Revitalization Grant Program within the Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) and Department of Local Affairs and provide it with $72 million in Colorado Comeback State Stimulus Funding, in addition to allowing gifts, grants, and donations to be contributed into the fund. The Program’s grants would help revitalize our main streets and downtowns by providing funding for creative construction and revitalization projects that combine commercial spaces with community spaces. The bill passed by a vote of 41-23.
“Colorado’s small business owners are resilient and determined to succeed, and by setting up this program we’re helping to give them the tools and funding they need to continue growing and thrive,” said Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, sponsor of SB21-241. “Every dollar we invest in small businesses is a dollar spent on job creation and economic stimulus for our state.”
“Small businesses are the fuel that will power the Colorado Comeback,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB21-241. “By helping small businesses get to the next level, our economic gardening proposal will create good jobs and contribute to the sustainable growth of our economy. It’s time to invest in small business success.”
SB21-241 creates the Small Business Accelerated Growth Program, which is designed to provide small businesses on the verge of major growth with the tools and funding they need to take their small businesses to the next level. The Program will support businesses with 19 employees or fewer and provide them with technical, marketing, and financial assistance to ensure they can grow sustainably and continue to create jobs. The bill passed by a vote of 41-23.